ASUSTeK Computer Inc., or Asus, is a Taiwanese multinational known for selling computer hardware and lately has been selling smartphones. Asus’ range of smartphones in 2017 ranged everything from budgetary and mid-range devices to selfie centric and as well AR-enabled smartphones.
Asus kicked off 2017 by launching the world's first Tango, and Google Daydream powered a smartphone, which is followed by a plethora of Zenfone 4 range of devices. Asus launched six devices at one go on a fine day. Here are all the smartphones from Asus in 2017:
Asus Zenfone AR
Asus launched their flagship smartphone, the Zenfone AR at CES 2017 with 8GB RAM and support for Google’s Project Tango and DayDream virtual reality software. Other specs include a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED QHD display, Snapdragon 821 chipset and 23MP primary sensor and more. With now Google abandoning its Project Tango, the Asus AR phone essentially is dead as well. The Asus Zenfone AR is currently available in India for Rs 49,999.
Asus Zenfone 3 Zoom
Alongside the Zenfone AR, Asus launched its all-new Zenfone 3 Zoom dubbing it as "thinnest and lightest" smartphone featuring a 5000mAh battery. The dual-camera setup is another USP which consists of 12MP f/1.7 aperture and 12MP 2.3x optical zoom sensor. On the front of the ZenFone 3 Zoom is a 13MP sensor with a f/2.0 aperture. The device features a TriTech+ autofocus system, dual-PDAF, 4-axis OIS, and 3-axis EIS. The Asus Zenfone 3 Zoom was launched in India as Asus Zenfone Zoom S smartphone at Rs 26,999. The Zenfone Zoom S is often referred as the best camera smartphone under Rs 30,000, and also the best battery smartphone.
Asus ZenFone Live
With live streaming going mainstream, Asus launched their first live-streaming beautification tech in new palace. The Asus ZenFone Live comes with real-time beautification tech enabling users to upload their glamorous lives online. The smartphone also boasts a Front Camera with large, 1.4µm sensor pixels for 2X-greater light sensitivity and a dedicated soft-light LED flash. Originally priced at Rs 8,999, the Zenfone Live recently received a price cut of Rs 1,000 and is now retailing for just Rs 7,999.
Asus Zenfone 4
Like last year, the Asus Zenfone 4 comes in two variants. A Snapdragon 630 variant and a Snapdragon 660 SoC variant. The highlight of the Zenfone 4 devices is their design. That said, none of these phones made it to the Indian market. Asus might launch the Zenfone 4 Snapdragon 630 variant in India in early 2018.
Asus Zenfone 4 Pro
Alongside Asus Zenfone 4 smartphones, the company also announced a 2017 flagship device dubbed Asus Zenfone 4 Pro. The Zenfone 4 Pro features the same design as the Zenfone 4 models but comes with the top-of-the-line Snapdragon 835 SoC. That said, Asus may not bring the Zenfone 4 Pro to the Indian market.
Asus ZenFone 4 Selfie Lineup
Asus launched their Zenfone 4 Selfie series including the Zenfone 4 Selfie Pro, Zenfone 4 Selfie Dual Cam, and Zenfone 4 Selfie smartphones. The Pro comes with a 12MP Sony IMX362 sensor, paired with a 120-degree wide-angle 5MP shooter. Asus is touting a 24MP DuoPixel mode in the smartphone. The 16MP Sony IMX351 sensor at the rear supports EIS and 4K Videos along with RAW file support.
All the three Zenfone 4 Selfie models made it to the Indian market. The premium Zenfone 4 Selfie Pro is priced at Rs 23,999, which is followed by the Zenfone 4 Selfie (Dual Camera) at Rs 14,999, and lastly, the Zenfone 4 Selfie base variant costs Rs 9,999.
Asus Zenfone Max Plus (M1)
Asus unveiled their first bezel-less display design Zenfone Max Plus (M1) at the end of last month, and now the company plans to offers in other European markets. The phone’s claim to feature the relatively big 4,130mAh battery coupled with a trendy 18:9 screen and dual-lens camera.Under the hood, an octa-core MediaTek 6750T processor paired with either 3GB RAM and 32GB memory, or 4GB RAM and 64GB storage powers the device.
Besides these devices, Asus also launched a few more smartphones such as the Asus Pegasus 4S, Asus Zenfone 4 Max, Asus Zenfone 4 Max Pro, Asus Zenfone 3S Max in 2017.
Asus is also rumoured to launch the Zenfone 5 models in early 2018. The company might choose the MWC 2018 floor to announce them, but before that, we might see a new Zenfone Zoom mode at the CES 2018 event, which is just a couple of weeks from now.
